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The great and the good were at the Chelsea Flower Show this week, eager to see and be seen at what is undoubtedly the most flourishing event in the business calendar.
On Monday night, former Chancellor of the Exchequer turned investment banker George Osborne was in good spirits and admitted it was his first time attending the gala dinner, the hottest of the show.
Another of David Cameron’s friends, Seb James, was also present, although Boots the Chemist’s former Etonian boss remained tight-lipped about a sale or flotation of the chain by its US owner Walgreens.
He’s back: George Osborne attended the latest Chelsea Flower Show
Along with all the suits were some celebrities such as actor Richard E Grant.
The good life, indeed.
Labor city charm offensive
Labour’s charm offensive in the City shows no signs of abating.
Its latest fundraising dinner took place at the Science Museum in west London, where former Legal and General chief Sir Nigel Wilson rubbed shoulders with the party’s top brass, including its chair Anneliese Dodds and the economic secretary in the shade Tulip Siddiq.
Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves and shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds have been trying to steal what was always solid ground for the Conservatives.
“Labor has been fundraising for two years and the city knows it needs to approach them,” said Addy Frederick, head of public affairs at insurer Admiral.
Shein appoints advisory groups
Chinese fast fashion giant Shein has appointed advisory groups Brunswick and FGS Global to help sell its story ahead of a successful IPO this summer.
That’s why there were some red faces when reports emerged revealing that FGS had allegedly sent one of its most senior managers to its outposts in China to deal with accusations that Western partners are behaving in a “colonial” manner there.
Clearly, FGS managed to dig itself out of the hole.
More women at the top
There are only ten female chief executives in the FTSE 100, but one man who wants to see more is Mark Versey, chief executive of Aviva Investors, part of the Aviva insurance group.
‘I have had three bosses and they have all been excellent. Much better than men,” she gushed to The Mail on Sunday.
Boss Amanda Blanc is credited with turning around Aviva, which for years had been languishing in stagnation.
She caused a storm last year after saying all promotions and hires of white, senior men at Aviva required her final approval. Full marks to Versey for her upward management skills.
Contributor: Ruth Sunderland
